Snow teams have been working throughout the night and morning to clear Kentucky’s roads of snow.
With snow expected to stop in the afternoon, the focus is on treating roads and keeping people safe as temperatures are expected to plummet through the night.
Some of Kentucky’s cities and small towns are updating residents on their efforts so far and what their next steps are for navigating the cold winter storm.
Louisville
The Louisville Department of Public Works reported the Metro Snow Team began its work at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, working through the night to treat all 111 Metro snow routes. That accounts for 2,700 miles of two-lane roadways in the city.
The team is currently working on a second round of treatment. To help ice melt, a salt-calcium chloride mix is being applied to roads due to an expected drop in temperatures. Calcium chloride is mixed with the salt when temperatures drop below 25 degrees to slush up any ice on the roads.
According to Public Works, the city’s snow routes are in fair condition, but advised caution for motorists. The department said the snow team plans to work as long as necessary to continue treating the roads.
Louisville residents can check an interactive map to check the status of any city road.
Lexington
The city of Lexington shared an update for their winter weather plans.
“Our crews and employees are hard at work, taking all precautions to keep our residents safe and warm,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “We urge motorists to drive with caution. Snow is still coming down, roads are slick, and visibility is limited.”
With bitter cold temperatures in the forecast over the weekend, the mayor urged citizens to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, protect pets from the cold and limit time outdoors.
Roads were treated and monitored overnight, with ranked roads pre-treated with a 50/50 salt brine and Beet Heet in preparation for the weather. Beet Heet helps salt work at a lower temperature, keeping salt on the pavement for longer periods.
The city said the salt and Beet Heet worked on the roads overnight. Due to three separate snows, crews had to restart on higher priority roads, meaning lower priority roads did not get as much attention.
Crews are continuing to treat and plow throughout the day, and sidewalk crews will focus on downtown in preparation for Saturday’s University of Kentucky men’s basketball game.
Lexington Police urged residents to check the weather forecast and look at live-time traffic cameras to check road conditions before taking to the roads. They also encouraged people who see someone who needs non-emergency assistance to call the Lexington Police’s non-emergency number at (859) 258-3600.
Lexington residents can check the status of any city street on an interactive map.
Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, the city government said priority streets were treated Mondy night and are patchy and wet now. The secondary streets are covered with snow; they are slushy and slick in some areas.
The city said treating streets now will help with freezing temperatures coming in overnight.
Residents can also check an interactive map to see when any street in the city was last treated or plowed.
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